Dome shaped implant and inserter

ABSTRACT

An implant for resurfacing a joint and a driver for the implant. The inserter attaches to the head of the implant. The inserter is designed to facilitate the handling and insertion of an implant at a surgical site. The inserter is provided with a plurality of arms that securely engage a plurality of indents on the edge or periphery of the implant.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/910,073 filed on Apr. 4, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dome shaped implant for joint resurfacing and an inserter for the implant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a bearing surface of a joint becomes damaged, one solution is to replace the damaged surface with an implant having a hemispherical surface that matches the contour of the damaged cartilage of the joint. Insertion of these implants, is typically problematic as it is difficult to handle such fixation devices within the joint capsule (during arthroscopic surgery, for example) where visibility and access to the structures of the joint is minimal. It is also difficult to precisely position such fixation devices at the arthroscopic site.

Accordingly, a need exists for a surgical implant and inserter that is configured to facilitate handling of the implant within a joint capsule, for example the knee capsule or the shoulder joint, during surgical reconstruction. A need also exists for a surgical implant and inserter that is stable during surgery and that allows for precise positioning of the implant during insertion and fixation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an implant/inserter assembly designed to facilitate the handling and subsequent insertion of an implant at a surgical site. The inserter is provided with a plurality of arms that securely engage a plurality of indents on the edge or periphery of the implant.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description that is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings and illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an implant/inserter assembly of the present invention, in a detached state;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an implant/inserter assembly of the present invention, in an attached state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the implant/inserter assembly of the present invention;

FIGS. 4( a)-(c) illustrate additional perspective views the implant/inserter assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the implant of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the implant of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the implant of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the implant of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to various specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be employed, and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides a dome shaped implant and an inserter that is configured to allow improved handling of the implant within a joint capsule, for example the knee capsule or the shoulder joint, during surgical reconstruction.

The implant of the present invention is designed to be securely engaged by a corresponding inserter or driver. The implant is preferably provided with a dome or eclipse-like head having a plurality of indents on the periphery of the head. The plurality of indents are configured to be engaged by arms (tabs) of a corresponding inserter instrument.

The present invention also provides an inserter designed to increase the handling and subsequent insertion of the implant at a surgical site. The inserter is provided with a plurality of arms that securely engage a plurality of indents on the edge or periphery of the implant. In an exemplary embodiment, the arms of the inserter attach to the implant by sliding back the shaft of the inserter. Alternatively, the arms of the inserter detach from the implant by sliding the shaft forward (with open arms).

The present invention also provides a method of conducting surgery by: (i) forming a socket at a surgical repair site; (ii) providing an implant/inserter assembly in the vicinity of the surgical repair site; and (iii) securing the implant at least partially within the socket.

Referring now to the drawings, where like elements are designated by like reference numerals, FIGS. 1-8 illustrate various components of an implant/inserter assembly 100 of the present invention. The implant/inserter assembly 100 allows improved handling of the implant within a joint capsule, for example the knee capsule or the shoulder joint, during surgical reconstruction.

As shown in the drawings, implant/inserter assembly 100 comprises an implant or implant screw 50 designed to be securely engaged by an inserter or driver 80. FIG. 1 illustrates the detached configuration of the implant/inserter assembly 100 (i.e., implant 50 detached from inserter 80). FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the attached configuration of the implant/inserter assembly 100 (i.e., implant 50 engaged by inserter 80).

The implant screw 50 is preferably formed of titanium or titanium alloy materials, for example, or other biomedically acceptable materials. Alternatively, the implant screw 50 can be formed of a bioabsorbable, biocompatible material, such as Resomer L210 Poly (L-Lactide) acid (PLLA) or an equivalent material. In addition to being biocompatible and bioabsorbable, a dome shaped implant formed of PLLA material provides the advantages of not being visible on radiographs and not interfering with MRI or CT scans.

In a preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, implant 50 is provided with a body 52 and a dome or eclipse-like head 60. Body 52 may be provided with a continuous thread 54 (as shown in the drawings) and may have a cylindrical configuration with a blunt end at its distal end 56. In exemplary embodiments, body 52 may be partially threaded. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, body 52 may be also provided with a plurality of fenestrations 53, to allow tissue in-growth.

The proximal face of the head 60 has at least one opening or indent 55 (FIGS. 5-8) for engaging an inserter or driver. Although many different drive coupling arrangements are possible, the preferred embodiment of the invention has three equally spaced openings or arcuate slots 55 formed in the dome-shaped head to engage the driver/inserter used for delivery and installation of the implant, as described below. Preferably, the plurality of indents or slots 55 are provided on the periphery or edge of the head 60. The plurality of indents or slots 55 may have various configurations and geometries, for example, a rectangular shape as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. However, indents 55 may have any configuration that allows them to be engaged by arms (or tabs) 88 (FIGS. 1-3) of the corresponding inserter instrument 80. Slots 55 are positioned on the edge of head 60 so that the depth of slots 55 can extend slightly below the depth of head 60. In this manner, slots 55 enable solid coupling between an engaged inserter/driver and the screw for inserting/driving the screw.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, inserter 80 is preferably provided with handle 85, shaft 86 and plurality of arms 88. Arms 88 may be provided in any number and configuration to allow to securably engage indents 55 on the periphery or edge of the implant 50.

In use, and according to an exemplary embodiment only, the arms 88 of the inserter 80 attach to the indents or slots 55 of the implant 50 by sliding back shaft 86 of the inserter 80. Alternatively, the arms 88 of the inserter 80 detach from the indents or slots 55 of the implant 50 by sliding shaft 86 forward (with open arms). Engagement and/or disengagement of the arms 88 with/from the indents 55 may be facilitated by actuating an actuating mechanism (for example, a knurl or a ring feature) provided on, or in communication with, the handle 85 of the inserter 80.

The present invention also provides a method of conducting arthroscopic surgery by: (i) forming a socket at a surgical repair site; (ii) providing the implant/inserter assembly 100 of the present invention in the vicinity of the surgical repair site; and (iii) securing the implant at least partially (preferably fully) within the socket.

The implant screw and driver assembly of the present invention are designed to be used to insert a dome shaped implant within a joint capsule, for example, the knee capsule or the shoulder joint, to resurface the load bearing surface of the joint. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention has a variety of possible uses and applications relating to screw insertion, not necessarily limited to joint surgery or to orthopedics.

The above description and drawings illustrate preferred embodiments which achieve the objects, features and advantages of the present invention. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the illustrated embodiments. Any modification of the present invention which comes within the spirit and scope of the following claims should be considered part of the present invention. 

1. An implant and inserter assembly, comprising: a screw comprising a distal end, a body portion of a first diameter and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is provided with a head of a second diameter, and wherein the head is provided with a plurality of indents disposed on an outer surface of the head; and an inserter comprising a handle, a shaft, and a plurality of arms configured to securely engage the plurality of indents on the outer surface of the head.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body portion is threaded.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximal end is integrally attached to the head.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms extend in a direction about parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of indents have a rectangular shape.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms are configured to disengage the plurality of indents on the outer surface of the head, when the implant is at least partially secured within a socket at a surgical site.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the socket is formed in a joint capsule.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the joint capsule is the knee capsule or the shoulder capsule.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms are configured to be actuated in one of an open position and a close position.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head of the screw has an eclipse-like configuration.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the body of the screw is fully threaded.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the body of the screw is provided with a plurality of fenestrations.
 13. An inserter/implant assembly for resurfacing a surface in a joint, comprising: an implant comprising a distal end, a fully-threaded shaft of a first diameter, and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is provided with a head of a second diameter having a dome-shaped configuration, the proximal end being integrally attached to the head, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, the head being provided with a plurality of slots disposed on an outer surface of the dome-shaped head; and an inserter comprising a handle, a shaft, a plurality of arms dimensioned to securely engage and disengage the plurality of slots on the outer surface of the head, and an actuating mechanism provided adjacent the shaft and in communication with the plurality of arms.
 14. The inserter/implant assembly of claim 13, wherein the implant is a titanium screw.
 15. The inserter/implant assembly of claim 13, wherein the actuating mechanism is a knurl or a ring configured to slide back or forth the shaft of the inserter.
 16. A surgical implant comprising a distal end, a shaft, and a proximal end, wherein at least a portion of the shaft is threaded, and wherein the proximal end is provided with a head having an eclipse-like configuration, the head being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart slots on an outer, most proximal surface of the head.
 17. A method for joint resurfacing, comprising the steps of: providing an implant in the vicinity of an arthroscopic site, the implant comprising a distal end, a body portion of a first diameter and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is provided with a head of a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter, and wherein the head is implant with a plurality of indentations disposed on an outer surface of the head; providing a driver in the vicinity of the implant, the driver comprising a handle, a shaft, and a plurality of arms configured to securely engage the plurality of indentations on the outer surface of the head of the implant; engaging the implant with the driver to obtain a driver/implant screw assembly; and securing the implant at the arthroscopic site.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the implant screw comprises titanium or titanium alloy.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the implant is a bioabsorbable screw.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of engaging the implant comprises moving the shaft of the driver so that the plurality of arms securely engage the plurality of indentations on the outer surface of the head.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the arthroscopic site is a joint in the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow, hand or foot. 